Aero Engine Corp of China, the nation's leading aircraft engine manufacturer, plans to obtain a type certificate for its new turboprop engine, the AEP100, in 2027, according to a project leader.

"The AEP100 engine has entered the final stage of the type certification process. We are working with the Civil Aviation Administration of China to advance relevant work, planning to obtain the type certificate next year," said Yuan An, general manager of AE General Aviation Power Tech (Shanghai) Co, an AECC subsidiary specializing in general aviation engines.

He said the certification process for the AEP100 is proceeding faster than that of the AES100 turboshaft engine because both use the same core engine, which will significantly shorten certification procedures for the AEP100's core system.

A type certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China is a mandatory regulatory approval for aircraft and aircraft components in China. It certifies that a product meets applicable airworthiness, safety, noise and emissions standards, and is required for manufacturing, sale, installation on civil aircraft and operation in Chinese airspace.

According to Yuan, the AEP100 is currently mainly tailored for the W5000 cargo drone developed by Chinese aviation startup Air White Whale, which is preparing to begin test flights.

"We have received positive feedback from Air White Whale about the AEP100 because our model features state-of-the-art performance, with several technical indicators exceeding those of foreign rivals," Yuan said. "The AEP100 has also delivered strong stability. It has been mounted on W5000 prototypes for ground tests over the past year and has maintained steady performance throughout the period. Moreover, the engine offers robust power, enabling the W5000 to outperform its originally designed capabilities."

He added that the W5000 is expected to complete its maiden flight in the near future, which would also mark a milestone for the AEP100 engine.

According to Air White Whale, the W5000 is a twin-turboprop drone with a maximum takeoff weight of 10.8 metric tons, a payload capacity of 5 tons and an internal cargo space of more than 65 cubic meters. It is about 22.9 meters long with a wingspan of 22.7 meters and can fly up to 2,600 kilometers in a single flight.

These specifications mean that once it completes its maiden flight, the W5000 will replace the Norinco Luca, developed by China North Industries Group Corp, as the world's most powerful transportation drone.

"The AEP100 and its variants will end the heavy reliance on foreign engines in China's general aviation sector," Yuan said.

He said demand for the AEP100 and similar products is expected to be strong.

"The United States has more than 275,000 general aviation aircraft of all types. By comparison, from what I understand, China only has an estimated several thousand such aircraft," he said."When emergency supplies or high-value goods need to be delivered to remote mountainous areas, islands and other regions without expressways and high-speed railways, general aviation aircraft become the most viable transportation solution. Given that each aircraft is typically fitted with one or two engines, the resulting market demand for engines will be substantial."

In addition to conventionally fueled engines, engineers at the company are also designing hybrid engines with outputs ranging from 200 to 1,000 kilowatts, he said, adding that several clients have expressed interest in purchasing them.